Embracing Our Divine Identity and Resources in Christ
Summary
### Summary
In today's exploration of 2 Peter 1, we delved into the profound implications of understanding heaven's perspective on our lives. Imagine how our decisions would shift if we truly grasped heaven's view of who we are and who we are becoming. From the moment of our spiritual rebirth, a kingdom explosion occurs within us, setting us on a path of continuous growth and transformation. Peter's burning desire is to reveal our identity as kingdom people, fully aware of the divine power granted to us.
We unpacked the word "granted," likening it to the access given by the Property Brothers in their show, where homeowners gain access to vast resources. Similarly, we have access to the storehouses of heaven, equipped with everything we need for life and godliness. This divine power is not just a concept but a reality that we must embrace and live out.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of full surrender to God, allowing Him to strip away our self-reliance and replace it with His abundant resources. This is akin to the Cedar Point meal plan analogy, where knowing the full extent of what is available to us transforms our experience. Many believers live beneath their potential because they don't fully understand what has been granted to them through Christ.
We are called to be partakers of the divine nature, aligning ourselves with God's promises and allowing His supernatural power to work in and through us. This involves rejecting the lies of the enemy and embracing the truth of who we are in Christ. The journey of faith is not about striving but about sitting at the feet of Jesus, absorbing His nature, and reflecting His heart in our daily lives.
As we operate in community, we are reminded of these truths, encouraged, and challenged to grow. The upcoming life groups will be a vital part of this process, providing opportunities for mutual encouragement and spiritual growth. We are called to wake up, be fully alive, and show up filled with the Spirit, ready to impact the world around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Heaven's Perspective on Our Lives: Understanding heaven's view of who we are can radically shift our decisions and actions. From the moment of our spiritual rebirth, a kingdom explosion occurs within us, setting us on a path of continuous growth and transformation. This divine perspective empowers us to live out our true identity as kingdom people. [01:32]
2. Access to Divine Resources: The word "granted" signifies that we have access to the storehouses of heaven, equipped with everything we need for life and godliness. Just as homeowners in the Property Brothers show gain access to vast resources, we too have been given divine power to live out our calling. Embracing this reality transforms our experience and empowers us to live fully. [04:02]
3. Full Surrender to God: We are in a time of full surrender, releasing our self-reliance and allowing God to strip away what doesn't align with His purposes. This surrender is akin to the Cedar Point meal plan analogy, where knowing the full extent of what is available to us transforms our experience. Many believers live beneath their potential because they don't fully understand what has been granted to them through Christ. [06:16]
4. Partakers of the Divine Nature: We are called to be partakers of the divine nature, aligning ourselves with God's promises and allowing His supernatural power to work in and through us. This involves rejecting the lies of the enemy and embracing the truth of who we are in Christ. This partnership with the divine nature transforms our lives and empowers us to reflect God's heart. [14:20]
5. Community and Mutual Encouragement: Operating in community is vital for our spiritual growth. As we remind each other of these truths, we are encouraged and challenged to grow. The upcoming life groups will provide opportunities for mutual encouragement and spiritual growth, helping us to be fully alive and show up filled with the Spirit, ready to impact the world around us. [27:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Heaven's Perspective on Our Lives
[03:13] - Understanding "Granted"
[04:02] - Access to Divine Resources
[05:25] - Full Surrender to God
[06:16] - Stripping Away Self-Reliance
[07:57] - Cedar Point Meal Plan Analogy
[09:56] - Living Beneath Our Potential
[12:28] - Embracing God's Promises
[14:20] - Partakers of the Divine Nature
[15:44] - Rejecting the Lies of the Enemy
[17:52] - Reflecting God's Heart
[19:46] - Walking in Front of a Watching World
[22:00] - Pressure's Off, Presence On
[23:53] - Make Every Effort
[25:23] - Becoming What We Behold
[27:13] - Community and Mutual Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Peter mean when he says that God's divine power has "granted" us all things that pertain to life and godliness? [03:13]
2. How does the analogy of the Property Brothers help us understand the concept of being "granted" divine resources? [04:02]
3. What is the significance of being called "partakers of the divine nature" according to 2 Peter 1:4? [14:20]
4. How does the Cedar Point meal plan analogy illustrate the idea of living beneath our potential as believers? [07:57]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might understanding heaven's perspective on our lives change the way we make decisions today? [01:32]
2. In what ways does full surrender to God strip away our self-reliance and replace it with His resources? [06:16]
3. What does it mean to reject the lies of the enemy and embrace the truth of who we are in Christ? [15:44]
4. How does operating in community help us to be reminded of and encouraged in these truths? [27:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How might it have been different if you had fully understood heaven's perspective on your life? [01:32]
2. Identify an area in your life where you are relying on your own strength. What steps can you take to fully surrender this area to God? [06:16]
3. Think about a lie you have believed about yourself. How can you replace this lie with the truth of who you are in Christ? [15:44]
4. How can you practically access and utilize the divine resources that have been granted to you for life and godliness? [04:02]
5. In what ways can you be more engaged in your community to encourage and be encouraged in your spiritual growth? [27:13]
6. What specific promise from God do you need to hold onto in your current season of life? How can you remind yourself of this promise daily? [14:20]
7. How can you show up filled with the Spirit in your daily interactions to impact the world around you? [27:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Heaven's Perspective on Our Lives
Understanding heaven's view of who we are can radically shift our decisions and actions. From the moment of our spiritual rebirth, a kingdom explosion occurs within us, setting us on a path of continuous growth and transformation. This divine perspective empowers us to live out our true identity as kingdom people. Imagine how our decisions would shift if we truly grasped heaven's view of who we are and who we are becoming. This understanding is not just a concept but a reality that we must embrace and live out. [01:32]
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: How would your daily decisions change if you truly believed that you are a part of God's kingdom and that His divine power is at work within you?
Day 2: Access to Divine Resources
The word "granted" signifies that we have access to the storehouses of heaven, equipped with everything we need for life and godliness. Just as homeowners in the Property Brothers show gain access to vast resources, we too have been given divine power to live out our calling. Embracing this reality transforms our experience and empowers us to live fully. This divine power is not just a concept but a reality that we must embrace and live out. [04:02]
Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV): "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."
Reflection: What specific resources or strengths do you believe God has granted you to fulfill your calling? How can you start using them more effectively today?
Day 3: Full Surrender to God
We are in a time of full surrender, releasing our self-reliance and allowing God to strip away what doesn't align with His purposes. This surrender is akin to the Cedar Point meal plan analogy, where knowing the full extent of what is available to us transforms our experience. Many believers live beneath their potential because they don't fully understand what has been granted to them through Christ. [06:16]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: Partakers of the Divine Nature
We are called to be partakers of the divine nature, aligning ourselves with God's promises and allowing His supernatural power to work in and through us. This involves rejecting the lies of the enemy and embracing the truth of who we are in Christ. This partnership with the divine nature transforms our lives and empowers us to reflect God's heart. [14:20]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What lies of the enemy have you been believing about yourself? How can you replace these lies with the truth of who you are in Christ today?
Day 5: Community and Mutual Encouragement
Operating in community is vital for our spiritual growth. As we remind each other of these truths, we are encouraged and challenged to grow. The upcoming life groups will provide opportunities for mutual encouragement and spiritual growth, helping us to be fully alive and show up filled with the Spirit, ready to impact the world around us. [27:13]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth of your community this week? What specific actions can you take to encourage and support others in your life group?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Have you ever wondered that if you truly understood heaven's view over your life, how would that shift your decisions in the now? Like, if you truly had a picture of heaven's thoughts over who you are, what would that and who you're becoming, how would that shift your decisions in the today?" [01:32] (30 seconds)
2. "We as a kingdom people, we have access to the storehouses of heaven, that his divine power has given us everything that we say. Everybody say everything, everything that we need for life and godliness. We are not the have nots. We are not coming up short. We have everything that we need. It's been granted." [05:25] (29 seconds)
3. "There is more he wants to do through you and I. Like, think about the fact that he turned the world upside down through 12 young men. Crazy." [12:28] (14 seconds)
4. "Pressure's off. Presence on. It almost feels like, it almost feels like a superhero, right? Like I'm going to like Matt, like, like Iron Man. Is that, is that the deal? But there's something super cool about that picture, right? Partakers of the divine nature." [23:53] (23 seconds)
5. "We become what we behold. And, and it's so true. We reflect what we rehearse. And it's, it's so key for us to, to guard the heart and mind and to take every thought captive and make it obedience to Christ so that we're thinking his thoughts over and over again." [25:23] (19 seconds)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It's pretty incredible when you stop and think about who we are as the temple of the Holy Spirit. That you are a housing for the Holy Spirit. And from that place, it's like we partner with what heaven wants to do in us and through us. And we're saying, God, I'm yours. I really believe that we are in a time of full surrender, guys, giving all things to him, releasing all of those things that we kind of hang on to." [05:25] (34 seconds)
2. "Do you guys realize, like, had we not known about the agreement, we would not have known what we had access to. The drink plan is every 15 minutes, by the way. But what if, what if we purchased the meal plan, and we picked up one meal during the day? Guys, you realize that so much what we see in the body of Christ is we have a diminished understanding. We have a diminished understanding of what is available to us in the cross of Jesus and through the resurrection and by his blood." [09:56] (64 seconds)
3. "What is the promise that you need to hear from heaven over your season right now? Can I just ask you to partner? In your spirit right now? And just like, what is it? Is there something that needs to be healed physically, spiritually? Is there a relationship that's on the, on the fritz? Is there a work situation that you're concerned about? Like, what is the promise that is need you're needing to hear from heaven so that you can be launched into a new season?" [14:20] (38 seconds)
4. "We are walking in front of a watching world and people will draw conclusions about who our designer and builder is based on how we interact with others in society, be it people, be it the government, you name it. People will draw conclusions based on our, our interactions with those things as to who our designer and builder is." [19:46] (35 seconds)
5. "I get excited when, when I, when I whiff because it's opportunity for me to tighten something. For those of us that, you know, are a part of the camp of performance and try harder. Can I just say pressure's off? Cause it's not you, it's him. And, and he's a loving God. He, he wants to partner with his people and, and all he does when there is that misstep, like he lovingly coaches the heart. He shepherds you. Into a place of more and more increasingly reflecting his heart." [22:00] (61 seconds)
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